Bon Giourno from the top of a mountain overlooking Assisi, on a very hot afternoon.

 We’re camped in the middle of a pine forest so have some shade and a little breeze, its wonderfully peaceful, a resident blackbird is singing his heart out all day, but so glad he doesn’t turn into a nightingale when the sun goes down!

Quite a lot has happened since I last wrote so you might be best to put the kettle on or pour a glass.

I spent 2 days in Pisa and really enjoyed it- went down to the south of the city across the river to get a feel of the real Pisa and then later in the day went back to visit the sights. What I wasn’t prepared for was how beautiful the whole place is, and whilst it was good to see the leaning tower I was completely blown away by the Duomo and the Baptistry – I spent a very happy couple of hours wandering around ending up with a campari and soda in a pavement bar. That night there was yet another tremendous rainstorm, made me feel quite at home

The next morning I pottered about a bit putting off the moment I was going to have face the roads and all these mad Italian drivers, had been hearing horrific stories of being nearly forced off the road by other campers. Well, as I couldn’t sit in the campsite in Pisa until my money ran out I girded my loins (metaphorically) and set out for Lucca. Well, what a breeze that was! Before I knew it I was there and had no problems at all, driving along a lovely road with the most amazing scenery.

Into Lucca, and to be honest I wasn’t that impressed, walked around a bit, found the cathedral which was closed, found two other churches I wanted to see, which were closed, so decided that I would leave and head for Sienna.
Decided to take the smaller roads so that I would see San Gimgiano en route so after a few detours round parts of Lucca that you normally wouldn’t see as a tourist I found the right road. (By the way, aren’t roundabouts great? If you’re not sure which road it is you can just keep going round- my record is 4 circuits so far!)

Anyway cutting a long story short, I drove through the stunning Tuscan countryside all the time climbing and climbing, I was going via a town called Volterra where I would turn off to SG; when the turn came I looked at the road which was even narrower than the one I was on, and with my promises not to do anything foolish ringing in my ears, sighed and continued along the Volterra road. SG would have to wait for another time. Sienna here I come.

Except – up and up we went, round and round we went, switchbacks and corners with the road narrowing the higher we climbed and no option than to keep going. Betsy was a star, didn’t quite have to change into 1st but there were a few moments when I wasn’t sure we were going to make it especially when we went round a very tight bend and met a lorry coming towards us. But the bonus of course was the view, breathtaking- unspoilt  mountains and valleys.
 Just as I was thinking how nice it would be to stay round there up popped a sign for a campsite and that’s how I came to discover the lovely hill town of Volterra.

The campsite was just lovely, very relaxed, nice areas to walk Kye off the lead and not too busy. The walk into the old town was about 25mins (uphill) through the more modern town which was vibrant, lively with childrens laughter and such friendly people, the old town was stunning and blew Lucca in to a cocked hat.

Met some lovely people at the campsite, an English couple Andy and Pam who have been travelling around Italy, got married on Elba and have decided they want to make Volterra their home and a Belgian couple Eric and Galetta   who were on holiday and were sad to be leaving. We had a very happy evening drinking more of the local red than was probably wise (well the boys did anyway).

After 2 nights there I decided to head for Sienna and Assisi, after all I had been in Italy for 4 nights and only travelled 60 kilometres. So up early to miss the traffic and the crowds and arrived in Sienna by 9.30am. Parked up just outside the city walls, in the shade for Kye, and in I went. Well,  as soon as I entered the city I was in love, everything about it. The piazzas, the architecture, the Duomo which is an art gallery in itself and could take a day to really appreciate. I realised that there was no way I could do justice to this wonderful city so decided that I would leave with the intent of going back for a proper stay, outside of summer, sometime in the future. So with a bit of a heavy heart I got on the road to Assisi.


Scenery changed as we went from Tuscany to Umbria- rolling hills rather than mountain peaks, bypassed Perugia (pretty town, big traffic jam) then arrived in Assisi. Been a long held wish to visit here and it hasn’t disappointed. Apart from the St Francis connection, which is what has drawn me, I hadn’t appreciated what a beautiful city it is. I’ve had a very special time here, one which will always stay with me.

So, I’m planning to be off tomorrow, was originally going to go to Orvieto and see the cathedral there but think I have had a surfeit of cathedrals, religious paintings and hill cities so think I’ll head off towards Puglia and find the sea- who knows? But when I’ve got there I’ll let you know where I am.

Sorry this has been a mini novel rather than a post- hope its been worth reading.

Ciao!